JAMES Ward-Prowse reveals that he has never actually met inspiration David Beckham amid talk of his free-kick record but adds: “If the stipulation is I have to beat the record to meet him then I’ll be looking to do that as soon as I can.”

The former England great leads the way for most direct free-kicks scored in Premier League history, with 18, while Saints’ skipper edged one closer onto 11 at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park last week.

His sumptuous effort into the top-left of Jack Butland’s goal was his first since February, in his 284th Premier League appearance.

Beckham reached his total in just 265, but 27-year-old Ward-Prowse now has the longevity to take it all the way.

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And despite being in the Premier League spotlight for over half-a-decade, and becoming a full England international under Gareth Southgate, Ward-Prowse still has not spoken to the man who gave him inspiration.

Daily Echo: David Beckham's 18 is the most direct free-kicks scored in Premier League history (Pic: PA)David Beckham's 18 is the most direct free-kicks scored in Premier League history (Pic: PA)

“No I haven’t yet, no,” he admitted to the Daily Echo, before being disappointed that the ex-Manchester United talisman didn’t emerge around the corner as we spoke.

“This is the moment where I’m looking to see if he appears,” Ward-Prowse joked. “I’ve had a couple interviews like that before, but no I haven’t met him.

“If there’s a stipulation that I have to beat his record in order to meet him then I’ll be looking to do that as soon as I can.

“He’s an absolute legend, a great of the game, a huge role model and inspiration for me even now – and I’m 27.

Daily Echo: James Ward-Prowse's free-kick at Crystal Palace was his 11th in the Premier League (Pic: PA)James Ward-Prowse's free-kick at Crystal Palace was his 11th in the Premier League (Pic: PA)

“He’s obviously a legend in my eyes and I’m hopefully going to get his record, but we shall see.”

Ward-Prowse’s most recent free-kick was his third goal of the season, with the other two coming from the penalty spot during the 2-2 draw with Newcastle and an ill-fated equaliser at Stamford Bridge.

Daily Echo: Six-time Premier League winner David Beckham scored 62 goals in the division (Pic: PA)Six-time Premier League winner David Beckham scored 62 goals in the division (Pic: PA)

The Saints academy graduate now openly admits that he is always wanting for more chances to close down the gap on his idol, and not just for the opportunity to finally converse with him.

He added: “Yeah that’s it, the one against Palace was the first one I’ve had in a real exciting area of the pitch so yeah to get the first one of the season was nice and hopefully more to come.

“As soon as it was awarded I got that butterfly feeling, I knew it was a good opportunity.

“That actually is a thing, sometimes you strike it so well you just feel so confident that it’s going to fly in and it was great to get my first one of the season, like you said, get that up and running now.”